Thursday Night Debut

It is here!! The much anticipated, mixed review of Thursday night football. Its awesome, because its a primetime game and usually features a good matchup (This Thursday is a classic example, props to the NFL). However, its on the NFL Network, which means the audience is very limited.

Nonetheless, I'm excited for tonight's game (I get to watch! Thank you Comcast). The Baltimore Ravens travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons. It is the first game since opening night that the NFL has on Thursday night, being broadcast nationally on NFL Network alongside Bob Papa, Matt Millen, Joe Theismann and sideline reporter Alex Flanagan.

Here are the facts to know heading into this game:

• The Falcons are 6-2, and an undefeated 4-0 at home
• They are riding a two-game winning streak (Cincinnati, Tampa Bay)
• The Falcons offense is led by QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner, WR Roddy White and TE Tony Gonzalez; the defense is led by LB Curtis Lofton, DE John Abraham, and S William Moore
• Matt Ryan is 17-1 at home in his career
  
• Roddy White is beat up, but is expected to play
• Offensively, Atlanta is 5th in yards per game (370.1) and 10th in points per game (24.5)
  
• Defensively, Atlanta is 21st in yards allowed per game (346.4), and 10th in points allowed per game (19.3)

• The Ravens are 6-2, and 2-2 on the road
• They are riding a two-game winning streak (Buffalo, Miami)
• The Ravens offense is led by QB Joe Flacco, RB Ray Rice, WR Anquan Boldin and TE Todd Heap; the defense is led by DE Terrell Suggs, LB Ray Lewis and S Ed Reed
• The Ravens injury concerns are minimal
• Offensively, Baltimore is 14th in yards per game (348.0) and 15th in points (21.9)
• Defensively, Baltimore is 9th in yards allowed per game (310.8), and 6th in points allowed per game (17.4)

• Kickoff is at 8:20pm ET.
  
• Atlanta (-1) is favored over Baltimore (+1)
• The over/under for the game is 43 1/2 points

We forecast a 23-17 victory for Atlanta tonight. Matt Ryan will win this one for the Falcons, because the Ravens have a strong rush defense. Roddy White will be his primary target against an up-and-down Ravens pass defense, but Tony Gonzalez will also be critical over the middle. If Joe Flacco can keep Ray Rice involved in both the rushing and passing game, the Ravens may have a chance at a road victory.

Midseason NFL Awards

Check out the blog by from my buddy, Will, handing out midseason NFL awards. His post, as team member of The SACK Lunch Blog, runs through what is essentially his "All-Pro Team." Great, great stuff.

Today's Show

Great show today, with special guest Dylan Davis of the Sack Lunch Blog. Enjoyed his insight on college football, and a bit of NFL football.

Enjoyed discussing the remaining four undefeated squads vying for the BCS Championship game, as well as running through each BCS conference to find our conference title contenders.

However, he severely damaged his credibility by being a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Maybe someday he'll see the light and relinquish his loyalties. Nonetheless, many thanks to him joining us today.

If you missed the show, catch the replay on the KDRT website later tonight.

NFL Weekend in Review

Quick thoughts...
1. There is trouble in Cincinnati.
2. There is big trouble in Dallas.
3. There are many happy fans in Oakland.
4. There is minor encouragement in Minnesota.
5. Tampa Bay is for real.
6. Carolina stinks.
7. Seattle stinks.
8. Detroit doesn't stink.
9. The NFL is tremendously balanced.
10. It's November, and Buffalo has not won.

As for the Power Hour NFL picks, a 9-4 week is a welcoming site. Toss out the irrational but obligatory picks of Dallas and Cincinnati, and we're staring 9-2 (or 11-2?) in the face. It's encouraging, but we take that with a large grain of salt. Every favorite, save for Cleveland, won this weekend. The lone underdog I believed could win was Buffalo, but no luck there. The entire 2010 season has been filled with the underdogs pulling upsets, so natually picking a few more upsets would have been a popular choice. Detroit, Kansas City, Houston, Miami and Indianapolis were all underdogs who were popular picks to win. However, none did.

Case in point, picking the favorites and succeeding is enjoyable, but pass the salt before you hold your head too high. Check back next week for our attempt to repeat our successful performance, and our efforts to pick winners and throw out the obligatory picks.

ESPN Sunday Night Crew

In one of the most intriguing storylines of Monday (move over, Dallas), ESPN chose not to renew the contracts of Jon Miller and Joe Morgan, who have served as the voices of Sunday Night Baseball for the past 21 years.

I'm a bit surprised by this because these two have been a staple of Sunday evenings for such a long time. I'm curious to see what, if any, underlying pretenses may have caused these two not to be brought back. As a Giants fan, I'd love to hear Jon Miller on KNBR for all 162 games next season, but I'm still surprised they are moving in a different direction.

Who will be on the mic for Sunday Night Baseball in 2011? Brett and Chuck? (we wish...)

College Basketball Arrives

Early November each year always means many things:

1. The BCS race is heating up in college football.
2. The NASCAR Chase Cup is also down to its final races.
3. The World Series of Poker is in full gear. (WSOP yes!!!)
4. The Chargers are getting in gear.
5. The NBA season is still an afterthought.
6. MLB free agency speculation grows.
7. Softball season is exactly five months away.
8. It's time to go turkey hunting for my November 25th feast.
9. Boise State and other non-BCS schools are "getting the shaft."
10. .......

AND COLLEGE BASKETBALL IS HERE!

After waiting 7 long months (or 8 if your team did not go dancing) since Duke topped Butler in the National Championship game, the boys are back in town. College basketball season is here, and March Madness and its new 68-team tournament are only 4+ months away. Today marks the start of the season, with 5 games, including gems West Alabama at Troy and Seattle at Maryland. Don't forget games featuring ranked squads Pittsburgh, Illinois and Texas playing against cupcakes.

Exhibiting play is wrapping up, including a game on Saturday here in town featuring our local UC Davis Aggies. No offense, but the Aggies humiliated themselves in a 67-62 loss against the San Francisco Academy of Art Urban Knights. The who?!?!??? C'mon Ags, you are loaded with returning and new talent, and I have great expectations for you to compete for the Big West conference title, THIS SEASON. So please, get it in gear guys, my season tickets just arrived in the mail and I want to see some solid basketball.

NFL Predictions

Atlanta over Tampa Bay: Because it is in Atlanta, and Michael Turner is running very well.

Buffalo over Chicago: Why not? The Bills have played tough in two consecutive losses, and I think they finally get their due at home.

New England over Cleveland: Tom Brady leads the Pats over the Browns easily.

New York Jets over Detroit: Despite the Lions being at home, their defense wins the day.

Minnesota over Arizona: Arizona's QBs stink (even though I love Derek Anderson).

New Orleans over Carolina: Do I need to elaborate?

Baltimore over Miami: The Ravens host, and their defense slows Henne and the 'Fins

San Diego over Houston: Please tell me the Chargers are "getting it in gear," as usual this time of year

New York Giants over Seattle: The Giants front seven is fierce, and Matt Hassleback is unavailable

Oakland over Kansas City: The Raiders are playing decent football? Odd....I credit the team for getting rid of JaMarcus....

Philadelphia over Indianapolis: Just barely, but only because Indy RBs are beat up...(and Vick is back!!!) ((woof))

Dallas over Green Bay: Obligatory pick for CJ. Kitna scores enough to win.

Cincinnati over Pittsburgh: Bengals win at home!! Ochocinco finally has a game. Finally.